Disc changer capable of selecting a medium for playback again within a prescribed time

ABSTRACT

While a certain information-recorded medium is reproduced by a reproduction processing means of a reproduction apparatus, when the information-recorded medium is designated again within a prescribed time by a user through an operating means, the control means controls the reproduction processing means so that the pertinent information-recorded medium can be reproduced on the basis of the reproduction information stored in a storage means. In addition, when the pertinent information-recorded medium is designated again, the control means makes control of externally indicating whether or not the pertinent information-recorded medium should be reproduced on the basis of the reproduction information stored in the storage means. In this configuration, even when a user stops the reproduction processing by his erroneous operation while a certain information-recorded medium of a plurality of information-recorded media is reproduced he can return the reproduction apparatus to the processing of reproducing the pertinent information-recorded medium easily within a short time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a reproduction apparatus such as amulti-disk-player capable of selecting one of a plurality of informationstorage media and reproducing the selected medium.

A multi-disk player is known which can selectively one of a plurality ofdisks such as a CD (compact disk) and MD (minidisk).

In such a prior art, a plurality of disks (e.g. disk D1-D6) are housedin a magazine so that they can be withdrawn individually. With themagazine mounted in a multi-disk player, a desired piece of music on adesired disk can be selectively played by the operation from anoperation panel.

The multi-task player, which has an advantage that it can save the laborof exchanging a disk by a user whenever playing of a certain disk iscompleted, is preferably used for a vehicle.

The multi-task player for a vehicle is installed within a limited spaceof a vehicle and the space is preferably minimized. For this reason, aplayer body is installed on a trunk room whereas an operation panel isinstalled in the vicinity of the dash board of a vehicle.

In the multi-disk player for a vehicle, a disk selecting button forselectively reproducing a housed disk and another button for selecting acertain piece of music within the disk are commonly formed by e.g. acrossing button as shown in FIG. 4 in order to minimize their occupiedarea on the operation panel.

FIG. 4 shows an operation panel used for an in-vehicle multidisk player.In FIG. 4, the crossing button 100 includes a pair of disk selectingkeys 101 a and 101 b at its upper and lower ends. In this case, whenevera user depresses e.g. the disk selecting key 101 a once, one of aplurality of disks housed in the magazine is continuously selected in anarrangement direction. On the other hand, whenever the user depressesthe disk selecting key 101 b once, one of the plurality of disks housedin the magazine is continuously selected in another arrangementdirection.

The crossing button 100 includes a pair of music selecting keys 102 aand 102 b at its left and right ends. In this case, whenever a userdepresses e.g. the music selecting key 102 a once, each of a pluralityof pieces of music housed in the disk now being selected is successivelyselected in a sequence reverse to numbers. On the other hand, wheneverthe user depresses the music selecting key 102 b once, each of theplurality of pieces of music housed in the disk now being selected issuccessively selected in the sequence of the music numbers.

Therefore, if the user wants to listen to a desired piece of music fromthe desired disk using the crossing button 100, first, he depresses thedisk selecting key 101 a or 101 b to select a desired disk. Thereafter,he depresses the music selecting key 102 a or 102 b to select thedesired piece of music. Thus, the user can select the desired pieces ofmusic included in the desired disk.

Using such a crossing button 100, the user can select the desired diskand desired piece of music on the operation panel having a limitedspace.

The operation panel includes in addition to the crossing button, aselecting button (FUNCTION) 103 which is a means for selecting theinformation medium into the medium to be reproduced, a power sourceswitch (SOURCE) 104 which is means for detecting a power ON/OFF of thereproduction apparatus, etc.

The selecting button 103 is a switch for selecting the informationmedium. Whenever the user depresses the selecting button 103 once, hecan sequentially select a plurality of disks housed in the magazine, AMbroadcasting, FM broadcasting and cassette tape as an information mediumto be reproduced. Incidentally, the crossing button 100 also serves tomake frequency adjustment of a radio, station selection, sound qualityand volume adjustment of music.

In the in-vehicle multidisk player, playing of each disk is executed by“autoplay”. Now, it is assumed that the user turns ON the power switch104. Then, when the multidisk player has been selected, it starts diskplaying from the disk housed in the first tray of the magazine at aprescribed time after a microcomputer which is means for controlling theplayer detects ON of the power source.

Now it is assumed that the user wants to stop the disk playing. In thiscase, if the power source switch 104 is turned OFF, the microcomputerdetects OFF of the power source to stop the disk playing. Thereafter,the disk is housed into the pertinent tray in the magazine and theplayer is placed in a stand-by state OFF of the power source.

In such an apparatus, for example, where the user wants to listen thefifth piece of music while the third piece of music of the disk D2 whichis housed at the second position of the magazine is played, the user hasonly to depress the music selecting key 102 b on the right side twice.

However, if the user erroneously operates the disk selecting key 101 aor 101 b at the upper end or lower end, the player will select the disk(e.g. disk D3) different from the disk being played at this time.Therefore, the user must select the original disk D2 (housed at thesecond position in the magazine) again by an additional operation forthe disk selecting key 101 a or 101 b. In this case, the player playsthe disk D2, but plays it from the first piece of music of the pertinentdisk.

Therefore, where the user operates either the disk selecting key 101 aor 101 b for selecting the piece of music, he must select the desireddisk D2 using the disk selecting key 101 a or 101 b again and furtherselect the desired piece of music (e.g. fifth piece of music) using themusic selecting key 101 a or 102 b. Thus, it takes a long time andexcessive labor to play the desired piece of music.;

Further, during the music selecting operation, the user may erroneouslydepress the selecting button 103 or power switch 104 although he intendsto depress the disk selecting key 101 a or 101 b.

Now it is assumed that the user erroneously depresses the selectingbutton 103 while the disk D2 is being played. In this case, even if theuser selects the multidisk player using the selecting button 103, sincethe plurality of disks will be generally reproduced again from the firstdisk (e.g. disk D1), playing cannot be directly restored to the piece ofmusic (third piece of music) of the disk D2 which has been reproducedimmediately before the erroneous operation. Therefore, the user mustselect the disk D2 which has been reproduced immediately before byoperating the crossing button 100 again.

Further, where the user has depressed the power switch 104 while thedisk D2 is being reproduced, the power switch is turned off so that thereproduction of the disk is ceased at this time. Therefore, even if theuser turns on the power using the power switch 104, since the pluralityof disks will be generally reproduced again from the first piece ofmusic of the first disk (e.g. disk D1), playing cannot be directlyrestored to the piece of music (third piece of music) of the disk D2which has been reproduced immediately before the erroneous operation.Therefore, where the user wants to listen to the piece of music whichhas been reproduced immediately before the erroneous operation, the usermust select the desired piece of music of the disk D2 by operating thecrossing button 100 again.

Such an erroneous operation when operating the crossing button may occurwhen the user himself selects the desired piece of music while lookingahead during driving. If the user makes the above erroneous operationonce during the driving, he must do the plural times of operations untilhe selects the desired piece of music which has been reproducedimmediately before the erroneous operation. It takes labor and time forthis purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished in order to solve the aboveproblem.

An object of the present invention is to provide a reproductionapparatus which can restore to a reproduction operation of a certaininformation recording medium easily and quickly even when thereproduction of the pertinent medium of a plurality of recordinginformation media is stopped due to an erroneous operation by a userwhile it is reproduced.

In order to attain the above object, in accordance with the first aspectof the invention, there is provided

a reproduction apparatus capable of selectively reproducing a prescribedinformation-recorded medium of a plurality of information-recordedmedia, comprising:

operating means for receiving a selection command for the prescribedinformation-recorded medium;

selecting means for selecting the prescribed information-recorded mediumon the basis of the selection command;

first reproduction processing means for making reproduction processingof the information-recorded medium thus selected;

storage means for storing reproduction information of theinformation-recorded medium being reproduced; and

control means for controlling the selecting means and the reproductionprocessing means, wherein where an operation by the selecting means isexecuted while the reproduction processing means reproduces theprescribed information-recorded medium, if a selection command for theprescribed information-recorded medium is given again within aprescribed time by the operation, the control means instructs theselecting means to select the prescribed information-recorded mediumagain and instructs the reproduction processing means to reproduce theprescribed information-recorded medium on the basis of the reproductioninformation stored in the storage means.

In this configuration, for example, even when a user stops to reproducethe prescribed information-recorded medium owing to the user's commandwhile the reproduction processing means reproduces the prescribedinformation-recorded medium, if the operating means receives a selectioncommand for the prescribed information-recorded medium again within aprescribed time on the basis of a user's command, the control meansinstructs the selecting means to select the prescribed.information-recorded medium again and instructs the reproductionprocessing means to reproduce the prescribed information-recorded mediumon the basis of the reproduction information stored in the storagemeans. Therefore, the reproduction apparatus can quickly make thereproduction processing of the prescribed information-recorded mediumwhich has been reproduced immediately before the stopping.

Preferably, the reproduction apparatus according to the first aspectfurther comprises second reproduction processing means for reproducingprescribed information different from the first reproduction processingmeans and switching means for switching between the first reproductionprocessing means and the second reproduction processing means, whereinwhere a switching operation is made by the switching means is executedwhile the reproduction processing means reproduces the prescribedinformation-recorded medium, if the first reproduction processing isselected again within a prescribed time by the switching operation, thecontrol means instructs the selecting means to select the prescribedinformation-recorded medium again and instructs the reproductionprocessing means to reproduce the prescribed information-recorded mediumon the basis of the reproduction information stored in the storagemeans.

In this configuration, for example, even when a user makes an operationof switching the reproduction processing by the first reproductionprocessing means into that by the second reproduction processing meansowing to a user's command while the first reproduction processing meansreproduces a selected one of the information-recorded media, if theswitching means makes an operation switching into the first reproductionprocessing means again within a prescribed time by the switchingoperation based on a user's command, the control means instructs theselecting means to select the prescribed information-recorded mediumagain and instructs the reproduction processing means to reproduce theprescribed information-recorded medium on the basis of the reproductioninformation stored in the storage means. Therefore, the reproductionapparatus can quickly make the reproduction processing of the prescribedinformation-recorded medium immediately before the stopping.

Preferably, the reproduction apparatus according to the first aspectfurther comprises:

detecting means for detecting ON/OFF of a power source, wherein whereOFF of the power source is detected by the detecting means while thefirst reproduction processing means reproduces the prescribedinformation-recorded medium, if ON of the power source is detected againwithin a prescribed time, the control means instructs the selectingmeans to select the prescribed information-recorded medium again andinstructs the first reproduction processing means to reproduce theprescribed information-recorded medium on the basis of the reproductioninformation stored in the storage means.

In this configuration, for example, even when a user turns off the powersource while the first reproduction processing means reproduces aselected one of the information-recorded media, if the power source isturned on again within a prescribed time, the detecting means detects“ON” of the power source before the prescribed time elapses. In thiscase, the control means instructs the selecting means to select theprescribed information-recorded medium again and instructs the firstreproduction processing means to reproduce the prescribedinformation-recorded medium on the basis of the reproduction informationstored in the storage means. Thus, the reproduction apparatus canquickly make the reproduction processing of the prescribedinformation-recorded medium which has been reproduced immediately beforethe power source is turned OFF.

In the reproduction apparatus according to the first aspect, preferably,the reproduction information stored in the storage means is addressinformation indicative of an address position of the prescribedinformation-recorded medium.

In this configuration, for example, even when a user stops to reproducethe prescribed information-recorded medium owing to the user's commandwhile the reproduction processing means reproduces the prescribedinformation-recorded medium, since the address information of theinformation-recorded medium which has been reproduced immediately beforestopping is stored for a prescribed time in the storage means, if thecontrol means issues a command of reproducing the prescribedinformation-recorded medium within the prescribed time, the controlmeans can control the first reproduction processing means to reproducethe prescribed information-recorded medium from the address positionimmediately before stopping. Thus, the reproduction apparatus canquickly resume the reproduction processing from the address positionimmediately before stopping.

In the reproduction apparatus according to the first aspect, preferably,the reproduction information stored in the storage means is addressinformation indicative of a leading address position of a predeterminedgroup of the information-recorded media.

In this configuration, for example, even when a user stops to reproducethe prescribed information-recorded medium owing to the user's commandwhile the reproduction processing means reproduces a group of theprescribed information-recorded medium, since the leading addressinformation of the group of the information-recorded medium which hasbeen reproduced immediately before stopping is stored for a prescribedtime in the storage means, if the control means issues a command ofreproducing the prescribed information-recorded medium within theprescribed time, the control means can control the first reproductionprocessing means to reproduce the prescribed information-recorded mediumfrom the leading address position of the group immediately beforestopping. Thus, the reproduction apparatus can quickly resume thereproduction processing from the leading address position of the groupimmediately before stopping.

In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a reproduction apparatus capable of selectively reproducing aprescribed information-recorded medium of a plurality ofinformation-recorded media, comprising:

operating means for receiving a selection command for the prescribedinformation-recorded medium;

selecting means for selecting the prescribed information-recorded mediumon the basis of the selection command;

first reproduction processing means for making reproduction processingof the information-recorded medium thus selected;

storage means for storing reproduction information of theinformation-recorded medium being reproduced; and

control means for controlling the selecting means and the reproductionprocessing means, wherein where an operation by the selecting means isexecuted while the reproduction processing means reproduces theprescribed information-recorded medium, if a selection command for theprescribed information-recorded medium is given again within aprescribed time by the operating means, the control means externallyinforms whether or not the prescribed information-recorded medium shouldbe reproduced on the basis of the reproduction information stored in thestorage means.

In this configuration, for example, even when a user stops to reproducethe prescribed information-recorded medium owing to the user's commandwhile the reproduction processing means reproduces the prescribedinformation-recorded medium, if a selection command for the prescribedinformation-recorded medium is issued again within a prescribed timethrough an operation by an operating means, the control means externallyinforms whether or not the prescribed information-recorded medium shouldbe reproduced on the basis of the reproduction information stored in thestorage means. As a result, the user can decide quickly whether or notthe reproduction apparatus should be restored to the reproductionprocessing of the prescribed information-recorded medium beforestopping.

Preferably, the reproduction apparatus according to the second aspect ofthe present invention further comprises second reproduction processingmeans for reproducing prescribed information different from the firstreproduction processing means and switching means for switching betweenthe first reproduction processing means and the second reproductionprocessing means, wherein where a switching operation is made by theswitching means is executed while the reproduction processing meansreproduces the prescribed information-recorded medium, if the firstreproduction processing is selected again within a prescribed time bythe switching operation, the control means informs externally to thereproduction apparatus whether or not the prescribedinformation-recorded medium should be reproduced on the basis of thereproduction information stored in the storage means.

In this configuration, for example, even when a user makes an operationof switching the reproduction processing by the first reproductionprocessing means into that by the second reproduction processing meansowing to a user's command while the first reproduction processing meansreproduces a selected one of the information-recorded media, if theswitching means makes an operation switching into the first reproductionprocessing means again within a prescribed time by the switchingoperation based on a user's command, the user can decide quickly whetheror not the reproduction apparatus should be restored to the reproductionprocessing of the prescribed information-recorded medium beforestopping.

Preferably, the reproduction apparatus according to the second aspectfurther comprises:

detecting means for detecting ON/OFF of a power source, wherein whereOFF of the power source is detected by the detecting means while thefirst reproduction processing means reproduces the prescribedinformation-recorded medium, if ON of the power source is detected againwithin a prescribed time, the control means instructs the selectingmeans to select the prescribed information-recorded medium again andinstructs the first reproduction processing means to reproduce theprescribed information-recorded medium on the basis of the reproductioninformation stored in the storage means.

In this configuration, for example, even when a user turns off the powersource while the first reproduction processing means reproduces aselected one of the information-recorded media, if the power source isturned on again within a prescribed time, the detecting means detects“ON” of the power source before the prescribed time elapses. In thiscase, the control means instructs the selecting means to select theprescribed information-recorded medium again and informs externally tothe reproduction apparatus whether or not the prescribedinformation-recorded medium should be reproduced on the basis of thereproduction information stored in the storage means. As a result, theuser can decide quickly whether or not the reproduction apparatus shouldbe restored to the reproduction processing of the prescribedinformation-recorded medium immediately before the power source isturned OFF.

The reproduction apparatus according to the second aspect of theinvention further comprises:

input means for inputting a selecting command of information informedexternally to the reproduction apparatus, wherein where the input meansselects to reproduce the prescribed information-recorded medium on thebasis of the reproduction information stored in the storage means, thecontrol means instructs the selecting means to select the prescribedinformation-recorded medium again and instructs the first reproductionprocessing means to reproduce the prescribed information-recorded mediumon the basis of the reproduction information stored in the storagemeans.

In this configuration, for example, even when a user stops to reproducethe prescribed information-recorded medium owing to the user's commandwhile the reproduction processing means reproduces the prescribedinformation-recorded medium, if the reproduction of the prescribedinformation-recorded medium is selected by the input means, the controlmeans instructs the selecting means to select the prescribedinformation-recorded medium again and instructs the reproductionprocessing means to reproduce the prescribed information-recorded mediumon the basis of the reproduction information stored in the storagemeans. Thus, the user can quickly restore the reproduction apparatus tothe reproduction processing of the prescribed information-recordedmedium on the basis of the reproduction information stored in thestorage means.

Preferably, where the input means selects to not reproduce theprescribed information-recorded medium on the basis of the reproductioninformation stored in the storage means, the control means instructs theselecting means to select the prescribed information-recorded mediumagain and instructs the first reproduction processing means to makenormal reproduction processing.

In this configuration, for example, even when a user stops to reproducethe prescribed information-recorded medium owing to the user's commandwhile the reproduction processing means reproduces the prescribedinformation-recorded medium, the user can quickly restore thereproduction apparatus to the normal reproduction processing of theprescribed information-recorded medium on the basis of the reproductioninformation stored in the storage means.

In the reproduction apparatus according to the second aspect,preferably, the reproduction information stored in the storage means isaddress information indicative of an address position of the prescribedinformation-recorded medium.

In this configuration, where the prescribed information-recorded mediumis selected again within a prescribed time by the selecting means, thecontrol means instructs the selecting means to select the prescribedinformation-recorded medium again and instructs the reproductionprocessing means to reproduce the prescribed information-recorded mediumon the basis of the address information stored in the storage means. Asa result, the user can restore quickly the reproduction apparatus to thereproduction processing of the prescribed information-recorded mediumbased on the address information stored in the storage means.

Preferably, the reproduction information stored in the storage means isaddress information indicative of a leading address position apredetermined group of the information-recorded media.

In this configuration, where the prescribed information-recorded mediumis selected again within a prescribed time by the selecting means, thecontrol means instructs the selecting means to select the prescribedinformation-recorded medium again and instructs the reproductionprocessing means to reproduce the prescribed information-recorded mediumon the basis of the leading address information stored in the storagemeans. As a result, the user can restore quickly the reproductionapparatus to the reproduction processing of the prescribedinformation-recorded medium based on the leading address informationstored in the storage means.

The above and other objects and features of the present invention willbe more apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a reproduction apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the control operation of a microcomputer;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the other control operations of themicrocomputer; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an operation panel used for a conventionalin-vehicle multidisk player.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, an explanation will be given of apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a reproduction apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

As seen from FIG. 1, a reproduction apparatus 200 includes an operationmeans 26 which is operated by a command from a user, a microcomputer 11which is a means for controlling individual components of the apparatus,a RAM 28 and a ROM which are storage means, a reproduction means forreproducing a plurality of disks serving as a plurality of informationrecording media. The reproduction means includes a disk transportingmechanism 2, a spindle motor 3, a turn table 4, a motor Ma, a motor Mb,a pick-up 5, a demodulating/collecting circuit 6, a sound qualityadjusting circuit 7, D/A converters 8 a to 8 d, and LPFs (low-passfilters) 9 a to 9 d.

The reproduction apparatus 200 also includes another reproduction meansfor reproducing different items of prescribed information (e.g.information from an AM broadcasting, M broadcasting, cassette tape,etc.) which are different from the disks serving as a plurality ofinformation recording media housed in the magazine 1.

The reproduction apparatus 200 includes a display 27 for making severalkinds of indications and a driving circuit 12 for driving the display.

In FIG. 1, the magazine has six trays (not shown) carrying disks D1 toD6 serving as information media, respectively which are arranged at aprescribed pitch. The trays are arranged in the magazine so that theycan be protruded from and received in a magazine body. The magazine 1 isremovably mounted in a prescribed portion of the reproduction apparatus200.

The reproduction apparatus 200 is a player which can make continuousplaying (in which a plurality of disks are continuously played),programmed playing (in which they are played in a previously selectedorder) or random playing (in which a certain piece of music is freelyselected according to random numbers) with a plurality of disks (e.g.disks D1 to D6) housed in the magazine. By operating a switching button103 attached to the operation means, the reproduction apparatus 200 isadapted to reproduce prescribed information (e.g. information from an AMbroadcasting, FM broadcasting, cassette tape) by switching between themeans for reproducing the plurality of disks and another means forreproducing the prescribed information.

The operating means 26 is composed of the same several kinds ofoperation buttons as those attached to the operation panel of theconventional multidisk player described above.

Namely, the operation panel includes a pair of disk selecting keys 101a, 101 b and a pair of music selecting keys 102 a, 102 b which areincluded in the crossing button 100, a switching button 103, a powersource switch 104, etc.

The operation panel, in addition to the above crossing button 100,switching button and power switch 104 serving as a means for detectingthe on/off of the power of the reproduction apparatus, further includesa title input key (not shown) for instructing the title of a disk to beinputted, and an alphabet key or “katakana” key for inputting charactersof the title, which are operated on the basis of instructions by theuser.

Like the above various kinds of command keys, the operation means 26 isconnected to the microcomputer 11 and receives a selecting command forselectively designating any one of the plurality of disks D1 to D6housed in the magazine by the user's operation.

For example, the disk carried by the magazine is designated bydesignating the position (e. g. tray number) of the tray housed in themagazine.

By selecting one of the six trays within the magazine 1 on the basis ofthe selecting command, the microcomputer 11 serving as the selectingmeans selects the disk carried by the tray.

The disk selected by the microcomputer 11 will be subjected to thereproduction by the reproducing means as follows.

By a disk extracting/transfer mechanism 2 under the control by themicrocomputer 11, the selected disk on the tray is extracted,transferred onto the turn table 4 attached to a rotary shaft of aspindle motor 3 and clamped there.

The disk extracting/transfer mechanism 2 includes a pushing member (notshown) for protruding the tray in the magazine and shifting it onto theturn table 4, a clamping mechanism (not shown) for clamping the diskwhen it has been shifted onto the turn table 4, a shifting plate (notshown) for changing the relative position of the pushing member to themagazine 1 in an arrangement direction of the disks housed in themagazine, and a sensor for detecting the operation of the position ofthe shifting plate and the operation of the clamping mechanism. In thedisk extracting/transfer mechanism 2, the shifting plate and pushingmember are driven by the motors Ma and Mb, respectively so that,afterthe shifting plate is moved to position the pushing member so as to facethe tray opposite to a desired disk, the pushing member is driven topush the tray, thereby extracting the disk on the tray. The structure ofthese magazine and disk extracting/transfer mechanism 2 is disclosed inJP-A-62-14369.

The information recorded on the disk which is rotatively driven by thespindle motor 3 is read by the pick-up 5. The RF signal thus read isdemodulated and error-corrected by the demodulation/correction circuit 6to provide a digital audio signal. The digital audio signal is suppliedto the sound quality adjusting circuit 7. The sound quality adjustingcircuit 7 includes a DSP (digital signal processor) (not shown) and anexternal RAM (not shown) connected thereto.

On the other hand, the microcomputer 11 creates sound field data (datafor adjusting the sound quality, volume and phase difference of theaudio signal to be supplied to each speaker) according to the user'soperation of a sound field adjusting key and supplies it to the soundquality adjusting circuit 7 as occasion demands.

The digital audio signal supplied to the sound quality adjusting circuit7 is subjected to the conversion processing according to the sound fielddata. The digital audio signals thus obtained are supplied to D/Aconverters 8 a to 8 d as a front and a rear output for each of left andright channels (Lch and Rch). The analog audio signals converted fromthe digital audio signals are outputted through LPFs (low-pass-filters)9 a to 9 d. The respective audio signals are reproduced by front andrear speakers (not shown) for each of the left and right channels. Itshould be noted that the demodulating/correction circuit 6 supplies thesub-code signal including TOC (Table of Contents) information to themicrocomputer 11.

The reproduction processing means reproduces the disk selected by themicrocomputer 11.

The microcomputer 11 is connected to a RAM 28 serving as storage meansand a ROM for storing display pattern data of the character such as analphabet and “katakana”.

The RAM 28 has a display data storing area for temporarily storing theinformation data relative to the plurality of disks in the magazine 1.Under the control by the microcomputer 11, the display data recordingarea stores a title data TTL (n) indicative of the character of thetitle of a disk and a track data TCK (n) indicative of the track numberof the disk (n) according to the disk number data indicative of thetitle number n (n: integer of 1 to 6) of the disk.

The title data TTL (n) are temporarily stored for each disk in thedisplay data recording area in such a manner that when the user operatesthe alphabet key or “katakana” key provided on the operation panel bythe user, the microcomputer 11 selects the data corresponding to thedisplay character of the title from the display pattern data of eachcharacter stored in the ROM 29 and transfers it to the RAM 28.

The RAM 28 has also a reproduction information recording area forstoring the reproduction information of the disk now being reproduced,i.e. disk number data, track number data, address data being read by thepickup 5, sound field data being converted by the sound qualityadjusting circuit 7, etc. for a prescribed time under the control by themicrocomputer 11.

The microcomputer 11 is connected to the display 27 through the drivingcircuit 12. The display 27 maybe a display of a dot display format, e.g.liquid crystal display arranged on the operation panel.

The driving circuit 12 includes a memory (not shown) having storagepositions corresponding to all the dots of the display 27. Therefore,since the display pattern data supplied from the microcomputer 11 arestored in the memory, the pattern such as the title characterrepresented by the display pattern data is displayed on the displaydevice 27.

Additionally, the microcomputer 11 also supplies to the driving circuit12 a command of displaying a display area on the display device 27 aswell as the disk number data, title data TTL (n) for each disk numberand the track data TCK (n) indicative of the track number of each diskwhich are temporarily stored in the display data recording area of theRAM.

The display area is an area on which the titles of the respective disksare displayed in an at-a-glance chart. The display area is composed oftitle write-in columns A(1)-A(6) and track number display columnsB(1)-B(6) which are arranged so as to correspond to the disk number.

The reproduction apparatus 200 is structured as described above. Wherethe user wants to listen to the desired number of the desired disk fromthe plurality of disks within the magazine 1, the user switches theoperation to the reproduction processing of the plurality of diskshoused in the magazine I using the switching button 103, depresses oneof the disk selecting keys (101 a, 101 b) arranged on the crossingbutton 100 to select a desired disk, depresses on of the piece of musicselecting keys (102 a, 102 b) to select a desired piece of music. Thus,the user can listen to the desired piece of music of the desired disk.

While a certain piece of music of a certain disk is reproduced by thereproduction apparatus 200, where the user wants to listen to anotherpiece of music of the pertinent disk, the user can depress the musicselecting key 102 a or 102 b as necessary to switch the reproductioninto that of a desired piece of music so that the user can listen to thedesired piece of music.

Further, the user wants to reproduce the other information medium(e.g.AM broadcasting, FM broadcasting, cassette tape, etc.), which isreproducibly connected to the reproduction apparatus 200, he canoperates the switching button (FUNCITION) as necessary to switch thereproduction into that of an information medium, thus reproducing thedesired information medium.

In accordance with this embodiment, even when the user erroneouslydepresses either one of the disk selecting keys (101 a, 10 b) of thecrossing button 100 while a certain piece of music of a certain disk isreproduced by the reproduction apparatus 200, if the user can designatethe pertinent disk again within a prescribed time from the erroneousoperation, the microcomputer 11 can select the pertinent disk andcontrol the reproducing means so that it reproduce the pertinent disk onthe basis of the reproduction information stored in the RAM 28. This isbecause the RAM 28 is controlled so that the reproduction information ofthe disk which has been reproduced immediately before the erroneousoperation is stored only within a prescribed time.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the microcomputer11. This flowchart is a sub-routine of the control operation (main loop)of the microcomputer 11 when the reproduction processing means of thereproduction apparatus 200 performs a reproduction operation.

First, in step S1, the microcomputer 11 detects the sub-code signalsupplied from the demodulating/correction circuit 6 once every 10 msecwhile the reproduction processing means reproduces a certain disk,thereby sequentially detecting the reproduction information of thepertinent disk. This information is supplied to the RAM 28 as presentreproduction information while a certain music of the pertinent disk isreproduced by the reproduction apparatus 200. The RAM 28 updates thepresent reproduction information every time it is supplied. For example,if the third piece of music of disk D2 housed in the magazine 2 isreproduced, the address data of the third piece of number of the disk D2which is obtained from the sub-code signal now being detected (i.e.address information indicative of the present address positioninformation) is stored in the RAM 28 as the present reproductioninformation. The present information is updated whenever thereproduction proceeds.

The present reproduction information can be stored for each piece ofmusic. Specifically, if the third piece of music is being reproduced,the leading address information indicative of the leading addressposition of the third piece of music is stored as the presentreproduction information. When the reproduction is shifted to that of anext piece of music, the leading address information of the fourth pieceof music is stored as the present reproduction information. Where thedata are classified into prescribed groups, the leading addressinformation indicative of the leading address position of the pertinentgroup can be stored as the present reproduction information.

The processing by the microcomputer 11 proceeds to step S2. In step S2,it is determined whether or not the reproduction information beforeselection has been stored in the reproduction information recordingarea. If not stored, the processing proceeds to step S6.

The case where the reproduction information before selection is notstored includes for example, the cases where a certain disk is beingreproduced over a prescribed time by the reproducing means, and where anengine key has been just depressed.

The reproduction information before selection refers to the reproductioninformation of a certain disk which is detected by the reproductionprocessing immediately before the operation of the operation means 26 orswitching button 103 performed by a user while a certain piece of musicof a certain disk is being reproduced.

On the other hand, if the microcomputer 11 determines that thereproduction information before selection is stored in the reproductioninformation recording area of the RAM 28, the processing proceeds tostep S3. In step S3, the microcomputer 11 determines whether or not thestoring time of the RAM 28 has exceeded a prescribed time (e. g. 20sec). This is carried out according to whether or not the counter of themicrocomputer 12 is making a counting operation.

If the microcomputer 11 determines in step S3 that the prescribed time(now 20 sec) has elapsed, the processing proceeds to step S4. Instep S4,the microcomputer 11 controls the RAM 28 so that it discards or cancelsthe stored reproduction information before selection. The processingproceeds to step S6.

This is based on the following reason. After the user has made theoperation means 26 or switching button 103, he does not repeat theoperation thereof. In this case, assuming that the user has made hisintended operation after the reproduction information before selectionhas been stored for a prescribed time, the reproduction informationbefore selected is discarded.

If the microcomputer 11 determines in step S3 that the prescribed timehas not yet elapsed, the processing proceeds to step S5. In step S5, themicrocomputer 11 controls thecounter to continue its counting operation.The processing proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the microcomputer 11 detects whether or not the operation ofdesignating the disk has been made by any of the disk selecting keys(101 a, 101 b). If not, the processing returns to the main loop of thereproduction processing.

In step S6, if the microcomputer 11 detects that the operation ofdesignating the disk has been made, the processing proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the microcomputer 11 determines whether or not thereproduction information before selection is stored in the reproductioninformation recording area of the RAM 28. If not, the processingproceeds to step S10.

This means that the counter of the microcomputer 11 is not making thecounting operation. This. applies to the cases where the reproductioninformation has not already been stored in the RAM 28 when the usermakes the operation of designating the disk (NO in step S2) and the RAM28 is controlled to discard the stored reproduction information beforeselection (step S4 has been executed).

On the other hand, in step S7, if the microcomputer 11 determines thatthe reproduction information before selection is stored in thereproduction-information recording area of the RAM28, the processingproceeds to step S8.

This is the case where the reproduction information before selection isstored in the RAM 28 (Yes in step S7) while the counting operation bythe counter is continued (step S5) at the time when the user designatesthe disk in step S6.

In step S8, the microcomputer 11 determines whether or not the diskdesignated in step S6 has the reproduction information before selectionnow being stored in the RAM 28. If NO, the processing proceeds to stepS10.

This is the case where in step S6, the user designates another diskdifferent from the disk having been being reproduced immediately beforethe disk designating operation.

In step S10, the microcomputer 11 selects the disk designated inprevious step S6 (inclusive of the disk having been being reproducedimmediately before the disk designating operation). Thereafter, themicrocomputer 11 starts to the reproduction from the first piece ofmusic of the pertinent disk and stores in the RAM 28 as “thereproduction information before selection” the present reproductioninformation when the first piece of music of the disk is reproduced andat the same time resets the counter to start the counting of aprescribed time (e.g. 20 sec). In this way, the microcomputer 11 makesthe control of sequentially supplying the reproduction information nowbeing reproduced as the present reproduction information in the RAM 28,and thereafter the processing proceeds to the main loop of thereproduction processing.

This is the case when the user designates the disk (Yes in step S6), thereproduction information before selection has not been stored in the RAM(No in step S7), or the user designates another disk although it hasstill been stored. In these cases, the microcomputer 11 makes thecontrol of reproducing the first piece of music of the disk designatedby the user.

On the other hand, in step S8, where the disk designated by step S6 hasthe reproduction information before selection now being stored in theRAM, the processing proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the microcomputer11 starts the reproduction from the information recording positioncorresponding to the reproduction information before selection.Thereafter, the processing returns to the main loop of reproduction.

This is the case where the user designates again the disk which has beenbeing reproduced immediately before the disk designating operation in astate where the reproduction information before has been still stored inthe RAM 28. In this case, the microcomputer 11 makes the control ofreproducing the disk designated by the user on the basis of thereproduction information before selection.

As understood from the above description, even when the reproduction ofa certain disk is stopped because the user erroneously operates thereproduction apparatus while the disk is reproduced, if the userdesignates the pertinent disk again within a prescribed time (now,within 20 sec) the microcomputer 11 selects the pertinent disk to makecontrol so that the reproduction processing means reproduces thepertinent disk on the basis of the reproduction information stored inthe RAM 28. Thus, the reproduction apparatus reproduces the disk quicklyimmediately before the erroneous operation.

Additionally, the reproduction apparatus can alter the reproductionstarting position of the disk immediately before the erroneousoperation. Specifically, when the user previously designates thereproduction starting position of the disk (e.g. head or some midpointof a piece of music), the microcomputer 11 makes the control of startingthe reproduction from the designated reproduction starting position.

Incidentally, the embodiment described above has been explained for thecase where even when the reproduction of a certain disk is stoppedbecause the user erroneously operates the reproduction apparatus whilethe disk is reproduced, if the user designates the pertinent disk againwithin a prescribed time (now, within 20 sec) the microcomputer 11selects the pertinent disk to make control so that the reproductionprocessing means reproduces the pertinent disk. However, the presentinvention should not be limited to such a case, for example the casewhere the microcomputer 11 alerts externally to the reproductionapparatus whether or not the reproduction of the disk should be madewhere the user has designated the disk within a prescribed time. Such acontrol by the microcomputer 11 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing such a control operation of themicrocomputer 11. Like the case of FIG. 2, this flowchart is also asub-routine of the control operation (main loop) of the microcomputer 11when the reproduction processing means of the reproduction apparatus 200performs a reproduction operation.

The flowchart of FIG. 3 includes an addition of step S11 to that of FIG.2. The respective steps of Si to S10 are the same as those of FIG. 2.Therefore, now, the steps of S1-S7 will not be explained and only thesteps of step S8 et seq. will be explained below.

In step S8 of FIG. 3, the microcomputer 11 determines whether or not thedisk designated in step S6 has the reproduction information beforeselection now being stored in the RAM 28. Where it does not have thereproduction information before selection, the processing proceeds tostep S10.

In step S10, the microcomputer 11 make the same control operation asstep S10 in the flowchart of FIG. 2. The processing returns to the mainloop of the reproduction processing.

On the other hand, in step S8, if YES, i.e. the microcomputer 11determines that the disk designated by step S6 has the reproductioninformation before selection now being stored in the RAM 28, theprocessing proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the microcomputer 11 makes the control of externallyinforming whether the disk designated by step S6 should be reproducedfrom the information recording position corresponding to thereproduction information before selection (A) or it should be normallyreproduced (B).

Specifically, the microcomputer 11 selects a display character(character string of “A” and “B”) necessary for informing from displaypattern data of each of the characters stored in the ROM 29 and suppliesit to the driving circuit 12. The driving circuit 12 writes the displaypattern data supplied from the microcomputer 11 into the memory, therebyexternally informing the fact displayed on the display 27.

In step S11, the microcomputer 11 determines which of informed selectioncommands has been selected. In this case, the microcomputer 11 makes thedetermination in such a way that it detects which of “A” and “B”corresponding to the selection has been selected by the user using thebutton (not shown) serving as the input means arranged on the operationpanel.

Where the microcomputer 11 detects that “A” has been selected using thebutton, the processing proceeds to step S9.

Where the microcomputer 11 detects that “B” has been selected using thebutton, the processing proceeds to step S10.

Specifically, in step S11, when the user is informed by the display 27,he determines whether the reproduction of the disk should be startedfrom the information recording position based on the reproductioninformation before selection stored in the RAM 28 or the reproductionshould be made by the normal reproduction processing. For example, wherehe wants to continue the reproduction of the disk from the informationrecording position immediately before the erroneous operation, he makesthe selecting operation of the operation panel to make a control tostart the reproduction processing from the information recordingposition corresponding to the reproduction information before selection.Thereafter, the processing is returned to the main loop.

Where the user wants to listen to the designated disk from the start, heselects the above “B”. When the microcomputer 11 detects this, theprocessing proceeds to step S10. Thus, after the designated disk isselected, the microcomputer 11 makes the reproduction processing fromthe first piece of music of the pertinent disk and at the same timeresets the counter. In addition, the microcomputer makes the control ofsequentially supplying the reproduction information now being reproducedto the RAM 28. The processing is returned to the main loop.

As understood from the description hitherto made, even when the userstops the reproduction of the disk owing to his erroneous operation forthe reproduction apparatus, if the user designates the pertinent diskwithin a prescribed time (now 15 sec), the microcomputer 11 selects thepertinent disk to inform externally through the display 27 whether thedisk should be reproduced from the information recording positionimmediately before the erroneous operation or reproduced from the start.

After informed, the user can determine whether the pertinent disk shouldbe reproduced on the basis of the reproduction information stored in theRAM 28 using the button serving as the input means or the disk should belistened from the start.

In this embodiment, although the display on the operation panel is usedas the informing means, sound may be used instead. Further, afterinformed, after the selecting operation is performed using the buttonarranged on the operation panel, the reproduction apparatus can make theprocessing through sound recognition.

In this embodiment, in step S11, two selecting commands are processed.However, with only one command being displayed, according to whether ornot its selection is designated within a prescribed time, the processingmay be shifted to the one processing or the other processing.

In this embodiment, although an explanation has been given of the casewhere the user has erroneously depressed either one of the diskselecting keys (101 a, 101 b) of the crossing button 100, the presentinvention should not be limited to such a case, but can be applied toother cases.

Specifically, it is now assumed that the user erroneously depress theswitching button 103 to switch the operation into the reproduction ofthe other information medium. In this case also, if the microcomputer 11is adapted to make the same control operation as that (FIG. 2 or 3) inthe embodiment described above within a prescribed time, it makes thecontrol so that the RAM 28 stores the reproduction information of thedisk which has been reproduced immediately before the erroneouslyoperation only within a prescribed time. Thus, if the user could selecta plurality of disks again using the switching button within aprescribed time elapsed from the timing of the erroneous operation, themicrocomputer 11 can control the reproducing processing means so that itswitches the reproduction processing of the information medium into thereproduction of the plurality of disks, and reproduces the pertinentdisk on the basis of the reproduction information stored in the RAM 28.This may be applied to the case of informing processing.

Further, even when the user erroneously turns off the power switch 104while a certain piece of music of a certain disk is reproduced, if themicrocomputer 11 makes the same control operation (FIGS. 2 and 3) asthat in the above embodiment is carried out within a prescribed time, itcan control the reproducing means so that the RAM 28 stores thereproduction information of the disk which has been reproducedimmediately before the erroneous operation only for a prescribed time.As a result, if the user turns on the power switch 104 within theprescribed time again, the microcomputer 11 can detect this to selectthe disk which has been reproduced immediately before the erroneousoperation and controls the reproduction processing means to reproducethe pertinent disk on the basis of the reproduction information storedin the RAM 28. This may be applied to the informing processing.

In the above embodiment, an explanation has been given of the case wherewhen the user has stopped the reproduction of the disk by his erroneousoperation for the reproduction apparatus while the reproducing apparatusreproduces a certain disk, he designates the pertinent disk again withina prescribed time using a selecting key as the operating means so thatthe pertinent disk is reproduced. However, for example, a reproductionrestoring button as the operating means may be arranged on the operatingpanel so that the user depresses the reproduction restoring buttoninstead of the disk selecting key within a prescribed time. In thiscase, where the microcomputer 11 detects that the reproduction restoringbutton has been depressed, it can select the pertinent disk using theinformation (e.g. TOC (Table of Contents) information) for identifyingthe disk.

In the embodiment, an explanation has been given of the case where aplurality of information recording media housed in the reproductionapparatus are CDs dedicated to music. The plurality of information mediawhich can be employed in the present invention should not be limited tothe above CDs. They may be MD (minidisk), DVD, CD-R, CD-ROM, etc. and acombination thereof. For example, were the information recording mediumis DVD, the reproduction information to be stored in the storage meansincludes, in addition to the reproduction information in the embodiment,a title/chapter number, cell number, address indicative of NAVI pack,angle number, parental level, audio stream number, sub-pict streamnumber, aspect ratio/screen mode, etc.

Where the storage means stores these items as reproduction information,the user can see the same title on the basis of the title/chapternumber, see the same image scene on the basis of the cell number or theaddress indicative of NAVI pack, see the image from the same angle onthe basis of the angle number, see the image under the same viewinglimitation on the basis of the basis of the parental level, and listento the sound such as the same audio language on the basis of the audiostream number, see the image such as the same subtitle language on thebasis of the sub-pict stream number, and see the image at the samescreen ratio on the basis of the aspect rate/screen mode.

In the embodiment described above, the operating means is constructed ofthe crossing button 100 having a pair of disk selecting keys 101 a and101 b provided on the operating panel. However, the operating meansemployed in the present invention may be a remote control key, atouching panel key, a soft key such as a pointing device, or an audioinput means.

In the embodiment described above, whether or not the pertinentinformation recording medium on the basis of the reproductioninformation stored in the storage means (RAM 28) should be reproducedwas noticed in a string of characters displayed externally by thedriving circuit 12 and display 27. However, in the present invention, itmay be carried out using warning sound by predetermined signal sound andvoice which are obtained when the audio signals outputted through theLPFs (low-pass filter) 9 a-9 d are supplied to a speaker.

In the embodiment described above, the microcomputer 11 causes thestorage means (RAM) 28 to store the reproduction information beforeselection for a prescribed time. Further, after a new disk iserroneously designated (or switching button is switched) within theprescribed time, when the disk reproduced immediately before theerroneous operation is designated (or switching button is switched)again, the microcomputer 11 starts the reproduction processing based onthe reproduction information stored in the storage means at this time.However, the control by the microcomputer 11 should not be limited tosuch a manner. For example, in such a case, the microcomputer 11 maystart the reproduction processing based on the reproduction informationstored in the storage means at the time when a prescribed time haselapsed.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the plurality of informationrecording media to housed in the reproduction apparatus were a pluralityof disks housed in the magazine. However, in accordance with the presentinvention, the format such as a DIN changer capable of housing theplurality of disks without using the magazine may be adopted.

Further, in the reproduction apparatus according to the invention, priorto the reproduction processing of a plurality of information recordingmedia, on the basis of an instruction from the operating means, at thetime of initial setting, as occasion demands, the user can determine thecontents of the information data relative to the plurality ofinformation media to be stored in a display data recording area of theRAM and those of the reproduction information of the plurality ofinformation media to be stored in a reproduction information recordingarea.

Further, prior to the reproduction processing of the plurality ofinformation media, on the basis of an instruction from the operatingmeans, the user can freely select whether the control by themicrocomputer should be made by FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

In the embodiment described above, the user designates the position ofthe tray (tray No.) housed in the magazine to select the disk carried bythe tray. However, in accordance with the present invention, thedesignated disk may be selected in such a manner that the microcomputer11 detects the information (e.g. TOC (Table of Contents) information)for individually identifying the plurality of disks housed in themagazine.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reproduction apparatus capable of selectivelyreproducing a prescribed information-recorded medium of a plurality ofinformation-recorded media, comprising: operating means for receiving aselection command for the prescribed information-recorded medium;selecting means for selecting the prescribed information-recorded mediumon the basis of the selection command; first reproduction processingmeans for making reproduction processing of the information-recordedmedium thus selected; storage means for storing reproductioninformation, which comprises address information indicative of anaddress position of said prescribed information-recorded medium, of theinformation-recorded medium being reproduced; and control means forcontrolling said selecting means and said first reproduction processingmeans, wherein an operation by said selecting means is executed whilesaid first reproduction processing means reproduces said prescribedinformation-recorded medium, if a selection command for said prescribedinformation-recorded medium is given again within a prescribed time bysaid operation, said control means instructs the selecting means toselect the prescribed information-recorded medium again and instructsthe first reproduction processing means to reproduce said prescribedinformation-recorded medium on the basis of the reproduction informationstored in said storage means.
 2. A reproduction apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising: second reproduction processing means forreproducing prescribed information different from said firstreproduction processing means and switching means for switching betweensaid first reproduction processing means and said second reproductionprocessing means, wherein a switching operation is made by saidswitching means is executed while said first reproduction processingmeans reproduces said prescribed information-recorded medium, if saidfirst reproduction processing means is selected again within aprescribed time by said switching operation, said control meansinstructs said selecting means to select said prescribedinformation-recorded medium again and instructs the second reproductionprocessing means to reproduce said prescribed information-recordedmedium on the basis of the reproduction information stored in saidstorage means.
 3. An reproduction apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: detecting means for detecting ON/OFF of a powersource, wherein where OFF of the power source is detected by saiddetecting means while said first reproduction processing meansreproduces said prescribed information-recorded medium, if ON of thepower source is detected again within a prescribed time, said controlmeans instructs said selecting means to select said prescribedinformation-recorded medium again and instructs said first reproductionprocessing means to reproduce said prescribed information-recordedmedium on the basis of the reproduction information stored in saidstorage means.
 4. A reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe reproduction information stored in said storage means is addressinformation indicative of a leading address position a predeterminedgroup of said information-recorded media.
 5. A reproduction apparatuscapable of selectively reproducing a prescribed information-recordedmedium of a plurality of information-recorded media, comprising:operating means for receiving a selection command for the prescribedinformation-recorded medium; selecting means for selecting theprescribed information-recorded medium on the basis of the selectioncommand; first reproduction processing means for making reproductionprocessing of the information-recorded medium thus selected; storagemeans for storing reproduction information, which comprises addressinformation indicative of an address position of said prescribedinformation-recorded medium, of the information-recorded medium beingreproduced; and control means for controlling said selecting means andsaid first reproduction processing means, wherein an operation by saidselecting means is executed while said first reproduction processingmeans reproduces said prescribed information-recorded medium, if aselection command for said prescribed information-recorded medium isgiven again within a prescribed time by said operation, said controlmeans externally informs whether or not said prescribedinformation-recorded medium should be reproduced on the basis of thereproduction information stored in said storage means.
 6. A reproductionapparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: second reproductionprocessing means for reproducing prescribed information different fromsaid first reproducing means and switching means for switching betweensaid first reproduction processing means and said second reproductionprocessing means, wherein a switching operation is made by saidswitching means is executed while said first reproduction processingmeans reproduced said prescribed information-recorded medium, if saidfirst reproduction production processing means is selected again withina prescribed time by said switching operation, said control meansinforms externally to said reproduction apparatus whether or not theprescribed information-recorded medium should be reproduced on the basisof the reproduction information stored in said storage means.
 7. Anreproduction apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:detecting means for detecting ON/OFF of a power source, wherein whereOFF of the power source is detected by said detecting means while saidfirst reproduction processing means reproduces said prescribedinformation-recorded medium, if ON of the power source is detected againwithin a prescribed time, said control means informs externally to saidreproduction apparatus whether or not said prescribedinformation-recorded medium should be reproduced on the basis of thereproduction information stored in said storage means.
 8. A reproductionapparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: input means forinputting a selecting command of information informed externally to saidreproduction apparatus, wherein where said input means selects toreproduce said prescribed information-recorded medium on the basis ofthe reproduction information stored in said storage means, said controlmeans instructs said selecting means to select said prescribedinformation-recorded medium again and instructs said first reproductionprocessing means to reproduce said prescribed information-recordedmedium on the basis of said reproduction information stored in saidstorage means.
 9. A reproduction apparatus according to claim 8, whereinwhere said input means selects to not reproduce said prescribedinformation-recorded medium on the basis of said reproductioninformation stored in said storage means, said control means instructssaid selecting means to select said prescribed information-recordedmedium again and instructs said first reproduction processing means tomake normal reproduction processing.
 10. A reproduction apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein said reproduction information stored insaid storage means is address information indicative of an addressposition of said prescribed information-recorded medium.
 11. Areproduction apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said reproductioninformation stored in said storage means is address informationindicative of a leading address position of a predetermined group ofsaid information-recorded media.
 12. A reproduction device capable ofselectively reproducing a prescribed information-recorded medium of aplurality of information-recorded media, comprising: an operation panelthat receives a selection command for the prescribedinformation-recorded medium; a selection circuit that selects theprescribed information-recorded medium on the basis of the selectioncommand; a first reproduction processing circuit that makes reproductionprocessing of the information-recorded medium thus selected; memory thatstores reproduction information, which comprises address informationindicative of an address position of said prescribedinformation-recorded medium, of the information-recorded medium beingreproduced; and a control processor that controls said selection circuitand said first reproduction processing circuit, wherein an operation bysaid selection circuit is executed while said first reproductionprocessing circuit reproduces said prescribed information-recordedmedium, if a selection command for said prescribed information-recordedmedium is given again within a prescribed time by said operation, saidcontrol processor instructs the selection circuit to select theprescribed information-recorded medium again and instructs the firstreproduction processing circuit to reproduce said prescribedinformation-recorded medium on the basis of the reproduction informationstored in said memory.
 13. A reproduction device according to claim 12,further comprising: a second reproduction processing circuit thatreproduces prescribed information different from said first reproductionprocessing circuit and a switching circuit for switching between saidfirst reproduction processing circuit and said second reproductionprocessing circuit, wherein a switching operation is made by saidswitching circuit is executed while said first reproduction processingcircuit reproduces said prescribed information-recorded medium, if saidfirst reproduction processing circuit is selected again within aprescribed time by said switching operation, said control processorinstructs said selecting circuit to select said prescribedinformation-recorded medium again and instructs the second reproductionprocessing circuit to reproduce said prescribed information-recordedmedium on the basis of the reproduction information stored in saidmemory.
 14. A reproduction device capable of selectively reproducing aprescribed information-recorded medium of a plurality ofinformation-recorded media, comprising: an operation panel that receivesa selection command for the prescribed information-recorded medium; aselection circuit that selects the prescribed information-recordedmedium on the basis of the selection command; first reproductionprocessing circuit that makes reproduction processing of theinformation-recorded medium thus selected; memory that storesreproduction information, which comprises address information indicativeof an address position of said prescribed information-recorded medium,of the information-recorded medium being reproduced; and a controlprocessor that controls said selection circuit and said firstreproduction processing circuit, wherein an operation by said selectingcircuit is executed while said first reproduction processing circuitreproduces said prescribed information-recorded medium, if a selectioncommand for said prescribed information-recorded medium is given againwithin a prescribed time by said operation, said control processorexternally informs whether or not said prescribed information-recordedmedium should be reproduced on the basis of the reproduction informationstored in said memory.
 15. A reproduction device according to claim 14,further comprising: a detecting circuit that detects ON/OFF of a powersource, wherein OFF of the power source is detected by said detectingcircuit while said first reproducing processing circuit reproduces saidprescribed information-recorded medium, if ON of the power source isdetected again within a prescribed time, said control processor informsexternally to said reproduction device whether or not said prescribedinformation-recorded medium should be reproduced on the basis of thereproduction information stored in said memory.
 16. A method ofoperating a reproduction device for selectively reproducing a prescribedinformation of a plurality of information-recorded media, comprising:receiving a selection command for the prescribed information-recordedinformation; selecting the prescribed information-recorded medium basedon the selection command; reproducing by a first reproducing circuit theinformation-recorded medium selected; storing reproduction informationin a memory, which comprises address information indicative of anaddress position of said prescribed information-recorded medium, of theinformation-recorded medium being reproduced; and controlling theselecting and reproducing of the information-recorded medium, wherein anoperation of selecting is executed while reproducing said prescribedinformation-recorded medium, if a selection command for said prescribedinformation-recorded medium is given again with a prescribed time bysaid operation, then controlling the selecting and controlling thereproducing of the prescribed information-recorded medium on the basisof the reproduction information stored in said memory.
 17. A methodaccording to claim 16, further comprising: a second reproducing circuit;wherein a switching operation is made when switching is executed whilesaid first reproducing circuit is reproducing said prescribedinformation-recorded medium, and if said first reproducing circuit isselected again within a prescribed time by said switching operation, andcontrolling the selecting to select said prescribed information-recordedmedium again and controlling the second reproducing circuit to reproducesaid prescribed information-recorded medium on the basis of thereproduction information stored in said memory.
 18. A method ofoperating a reproduction device for selectively reproducing a prescribedinformation of a plurality of information-recorded media, comprising:receiving a selection command for the prescribed information-recordedinformation; selecting the prescribed information-recorded medium basedon the selection command; reproducing by said first reproducing circuitthe information-recorded medium selected; storing reproductioninformation in a memory, which is address information indicative of anaddress position of said prescribed information-recorded medium, of theinformation-recorded medium being reproduced; controlling the selectingand reproducing, wherein an operation of selecting is executed whilereproducing said prescribed information-recorded medium, if a selectioncommand for said prescribed information-recorded medium is given againwithin a prescribed time by said operation, and informing externallywhether or not said prescribed information-recorded medium should bereproduced on the basis of the reproduction information stored in saidmemory.
 19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising:detecting ON/OFF of a power source, wherein OFF of the power source isdetected while said first reproducing processing circuit reproduces saidprescribed information-recorded medium, if ON of the power source isdetected again within a prescribed time, informing externally to saidreproduction device whether or not said prescribed information-recordedmedium should be reproduced on the basis of the reproduction informationstored in said memory.